Snap peas serve as the base of this vegetable salad, where I mix in lightly steamed green beans, earthy toasted walnuts, chunks of briny feta, peppery arugula, and generous amounts of parsley and mint. I sprinkle the whole thing with crispy quinoa to give it that addictive crunch. The crispy quinoa is ridiculously easy to make and even more fun to eat. It’s like toasted breadcrumbs but healthier, gluten-free, and just as hard to resist. This vibrant green salad is loaded with enough texture and flavor to enjoy as a main meal, but you can also serve it alongside recipes like Whole Roasted Chicken or this simple (and fast) Broiled Salmon.
Snap Pea Salad Ingredients
Green beans and Snap Peas: These veggies make up the base of this salad. Green beans are earthy and tender, while sweet snap peas provide a crisp texture. Lemon juice and zest: I always opt for lemon juice when I want to add fresh flavor and a hit of acid. Using the zest adds a floral note that brightens up the flavor of the vegetables. Garlic and Scallions: Minced garlic gives the dressing a nice bite and scallions add oniony flavor. Extra virgin olive oil: Carries the flavor of the dressing and adds a peppery bite. Kosher salt and black pepper bring out the flavors of the aromatic ingredients and balance the citrus. Feta cheese: Salty and tangy, this crumbly cheese packs a powerful flavor. I like to use Sheep’s milk feta whenever possible, but cow’s milk feta is also fine. Toasted walnuts: Earthy, rich walnuts are one of the most nutritious nuts: high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Toasting them brings out their natural sweetness. Herbs: Parsley is such a great all-around herb, adding a peppery, earthy flavor to almost any salad. I reach for mint whenever I want to add a refreshing, herbal note to a salad. Arugula: In this salad, baby arugula provides a different texture and helps tie the ingredients together. Crispy quinoa: Adds a crunchy layer. To make it, you’ll need cooked (or leftover) quinoa, salt, and olive oil.
How to Make a Loaded Snap Pea Salad
You can certainly make this recipe with standard quinoa, but crisping it on your stove or in your oven is well-worth the added time. You can prepare the quinoa up to one week in advance. Keep it on hand for grain salads, snacking, and beyond (see my full crispy quinoa guide for more ideas). Here are the steps:
Make the Crispy Quinoa
Cook and cool the quinoa (or use leftover quinoa): Simmer 1 cup of quinoa in 1 1/2 cups of water until the quinoa is fluffy and the water has been absorbed, 13-15 minutes. Let steam, covered with a kitchen towel, about 10 minutes. Then spread the quinoa on a sheet pan, breaking up any clumps with a fork, and let it cool completely before using it to make the Crispy Quinoa. Make the crispy quinoa: Toss the cooled quinoa with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or your favorite spice combination). Spread the quinoa on a rimmed sheet pan and toast in a 375°F oven, turning with a spatula every 10 minutes or so, until golden brown and crispy, 25-30 minutes. Or add to a large pan and cook on your stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, for 20-25 minutes.
Cook the Veggies
Prep the veggies: Snap off the stem ends of 1/2 pound green beans and slice them diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Trim the ends of 1/2 pound snap peas and remove the strings (if desired), then cut them to match the beans. Steam the green beans: Combine the green beans with 1/2 cup of water in a large skillet. Cover and set on medium heat. Cover and bring water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer beans until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Gently steam the snap peas. Remove the pan from the heat and add the snap peas. Cover, and let stand until snap peas are bright green, but still crispy, about 3 minutes more. Pour off any remaining water and let the vegetables cool. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, one teaspoon lemon zest, and two cloves minced garlic; season with salt and pepper. Whisk in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Dress and Serve
Dress the salad: Add the vegetables and toss with the dressing until well coated. Add 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, 4 minced scallions, 1/2 cup each parsley and mint, and two ounces of baby arugula. Toss, being careful not to break up the feta too much. Top with the Crispy Quinoa: Divide the salad among plates and top each with about 1/4 cup of Crispy Quinoa. Serve immediately.
Ways to Mix it Up
The appeal of this salad for me is the combination of textures–crisp vegetables, creamy cheese, and the addictive crunch of the Crispy Quinoa. Keeping this in mind, feel free to play around with the ingredients. Here’s how:
Vary the veggies: While I love the combination of green beans and snap peas, you can try all green beans or all snap peas. Change up the nuts: Other nuts that would work well are sliced almonds, pistachios, or chopped hazelnuts. Switch up the greens: Baby spinach or a spring green mix are good swaps for the arugula. Don’t lose the crunch: The Crunchy Quinoa is what makes this salad irresistible to me. Other ways to add that essential texture are toasted bread crumbs, broken pita chips, or extra chopped nuts.
What to Serve with Snap Pea Salad
The benefit of a salad like this is you have everything you need in one dish. Throw in a piece of fruit to nibble on and you have an easy-to-pack and satisfying lunch that can be made in advance. I also recommend doubling the recipe to make enough for dinner and serving it alongside a hearty, grilled main dish like Grilled Chicken Kebabs, which are loaded with garlic and aromatic spices, or our Juiciest Lamb Kebabs dipped in our Easy Tzatziki Sauce, a traditional recipe from the Greek Island of Paros. On hot summer nights, I love make-ahead frozen desserts, like this ultra-refreshing Lemon Sorbet, which uses just two ingredients and doesn’t require an ice cream maker. Or use your favorite combination of summer fruit to make Frozen Yogurt, another easy-breezy dessert that takes just 5 minutes to prep. Browse all Mediterranean Recipes
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